The new omicron subvariant XBB.1.5: What you must know now

The strain, known as XBB.1.5, accounts for almost 41% of confirmed COVID-19 cases right now nationwide, according to data from the CDC.

Indoor mask mandate may return if LA County reaches high COVID transmission, Ferrer says

Los Angeles County may once again bring back the indoor mask mandate. According to Director Barbara Ferrer, if the county reaches the CDC's high transmission category, masking may be required indoors – again.

Most people infected with COVID-19 Omicron variant didn’t know it, study says

More than half of people who were likely infected with the COVID-19 Omicron variant last fall didn’t know they had the virus, which could be why it spread so fast, a new study finds.

COVID-19 omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 could be ‘worst’ so far, doctors say

Subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 are more transmissible, and early evidence shows both are capable of evading immune responses from previous infection as well as current COVID-19 vaccines.

Moderna says updated COVID shot boosts omicron protection

Moderna’s study results revealed people given the combination vaccine shot had higher antibody levels to fight omicron and other variants.

BA.2 subvariant of Omicron increasing in LA County

The BA.2 subvariant of COVID-19 is continuing to strengthen its presence in Los Angeles County, now accounting for nearly one-third of all virus cases that are screened for variants, the public health director said.

BA.2 subvariant of COVID-19 increasing in LA County

Experts have suggested that BA.2 is at least 30% more contagious than the Omicron variant, which was already substantially more easily spread than the original COVID-19 virus.

Is omicron leading us closer to herd immunity against COVID-19? Experts weigh in

Experts say it's not likely that the highly transmissible omicron variant — or any other variant — will lead us closer to herd immunity against COVID-19.

Can you get long COVID after an infection with omicron? Here's what you need to know

Experts say it's too early to know whether people infected with the omicron variant will develop long COVID. Doctors believe it's possible to have long-term effects from omicron.

US COVID-19 death toll hits 900,000, sped by omicron

Propelled in part by the wildly contagious omicron variant, the U.S. death toll from COVID-19 hit 900,000 on Friday, less than two months after eclipsing 800,000.

COVID falling in 49 of 50 states as deaths near 900,000

With the brutal omicron wave rapidly loosening its grip, new cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. are falling in 49 of 50 states, even as the nation's death toll closes in on another bleak round number: 900,000.

Spain to drop masks outdoors as omicron surge decelerates

Spain will end a mandate to wear masks outdoors next week, reversing a late December order against an unprecedented surge of coronavirus infections fueled by a highly contagious mutation, Health Minister Carolina Darias said.

Orange County's COVID hospitalizations, infections continue to improve

Orange County's COVID-19 hospitalizations and case rates continued dropping, but reports of fatalities mounted, with January's death toll approaching the worst of the Delta variant-fueled summer surge, according to data released Wednesday.